SR 25: Urges President and Congress of United States to restore “net neutrality” in federal law

Urges President and Congress of United States to restore “net neutrality” in federal law

NJEA supports SR-25. This resolution urges Congress and the President to restore net neutrality. Internet service providers (ISPs) are a telecommunications service, not an information service, and should be regulated as such. ISPs should not have the power to give preferential treatment to some websites over others, block websites, or create “fast lanes” and “slow lanes” based on payment.

Ending net neutrality could hurt students and schools

Non-profit sites or small companies that provide high-quality educational resources could be forced out of business due high costs charged by ISPs to deliver their content.

A student doing research on the internet at home could find it difficult to access the resources of the school library or PBS because they are in a slow lane or even blocked, leaving her with only the providers “learning center.”

ISPs could create different tiers of access for websites, denying students and educators access to materials if they cannot afford the cost.

A testing company could make deals with ISPs so that its computer-based test is delivered at the highest speed, while its competition is slowed down. States and districts would find themselves with only one choice.

Students, educators, and schools in rural areas might only have one ISP in their area and have no recourse if the provider blocks access for commercial gain.

Net neutrality is important for schools, students, and educators. Congress should restore net neutrality, and NJEA appreciates New Jersey’s legislators asking Congress to restore the net neutrality rules.